The book's training requirement was simple: access to a shooting range or a gun club.
Thomas Smyth had that covered. He selected "learn," and the skill materialized on his status screen.
[C.A.R.S. Tactical Firearms System]
Type: Rare Passive Skill
Description: The Center Axis Relock System is a tactical shooting system designed for close-quarters combat, allowing for effective engagement and self-preservation in confined spaces.
You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to survive!
Effects:
* High Stance: Increased weapon retention, slightly faster firing rate, moderately faster reload speed, and harder to hit.
* Extended Stance: Increased weapon retention, significantly faster firing rate, moderately increased accuracy, and slightly faster reload speed.
* Middle Stance: Increased weapon retention, +25 Perception, moderately faster reaction speed, and harder to hit.
* Combat Stance: Significantly increased accuracy.
* Max Level: +40 Perception, significantly faster firing rate, significantly faster reload speed, significantly increased accuracy, significantly faster reaction speed, weapon cannot be disarmed.
Proficiency: 0/10000
How to Increase Proficiency: Engage in combat using the C.A.R.S. system, eliminate enemies, or train at a shooting range or gun club.
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"Holy shit..."
This was Thomas's first firearms-related skill.
And it was seriously badass.
The skill panel provided detailed explanations and nuances for each of the four stances.
Without hesitation, Thomas headed to the shooting range to experiment.
The range could be dynamically reconfigured to Thomas's specifications. He selected a multi-room, close-quarters layout, and the range quickly transformed into a maze of rooms and corridors.
Entering the range, Thomas first tested the "High Stance," standing sideways with the silenced pistol held close to his chest, his left hand enveloping his right, thumbs aligned.
* Pew pew...
The silenced shots rang out, and two holes appeared on the humanoid target positioned to his side.
Thomas hadn't even aimed. He'd simply pulled the trigger. His eyes lit up.
He moved through the range, cycling through each of the four stances, getting a feel for their applications.
Next came rapid transitions between stances and reload drills. He weaved through the rooms, imagining enemies around every corner.
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The range echoed with the staccato rhythm of gunfire.
He then practiced with different firearms, integrating the C.A.R.S. system with each weapon.
An hour later, Thomas emerged from the range, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.
This skill was a game-changer.
It wasn't just a boost to his physical stats; it was a complete overhaul of his tactical shooting mindset. Before, he'd relied on ambushes and traps, knowing that a lone wolf was at a disadvantage in a straight-up firefight.
But C.A.R.S. seemed tailor-made for close-quarters, outnumbered engagements. The four stances provided a perfect counter to a variety of threats.
Thomas also learned two new reloading terms: tactical reload and emergency reload. He'd used both methods before, but never in such a structured, formalized way.
Having digested his gains from the previous night, Thomas made his way to the Intelligence Center.
Tessia Thorne seemed to anticipate his arrival, already switching the laptop display to the intel page.
Eight Lop entered, carrying two cups of black tea. He handed one to each of them before stationing himself behind Tessia.
Thomas produced 10 Calamity Coins. After finding 3 more in Black Dog's room and 2 in Stephen Chow's safe, along with his previous 9, he now had a total of 14.
"Time to find out what fresh hell awaits us."
He accessed the Intelligence Center panel and selected the option to spend 10 Calamity Coins for information on the next disaster.
The coins vanished from his hand as the laptop screen flickered twice before displaying new footage.
It showed the familiar streets and buildings of Sparrow City. Refugees were still harassing the survivors, who in turn were cautiously scavenging for supplies. Skirmishes broke out here and there, and in the distance, a rebel armored patrol vehicle was slowly approaching.
Then, a faint yellow mist began to drift through the scene. It enveloped refugees, survivors, and even seeped into the armored vehicle through its ventilation port.
The scene changed to various locations around the world, each being enveloped by the same yellowish haze. The mist infiltrated hideouts through ventilation ducts and doors.
Those who inhaled the mist quickly succumbed to a variety of symptoms: coughing, difficulty breathing, facial swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, and intense itching.
Some victims scratched themselves raw, their wounds rapidly becoming infected and festering. Death followed, their final breaths growing weaker and weaker.
Even those wearing gas masks were not entirely safe. Prolonged exposure to the mist led to skin lesions and a slow, agonizing death.
The bodies of the deceased quickly decomposed after a short period, turning back into the same yellow mist that rose into the air, spreading the contagion further.
At the edge of a city, figures in heavy hazmat suits appeared, wielding flamethrowers to incinerate the corpses.
A single white flower sprouted from a pile of bodies. As it bloomed, the persistent yellow mist around the corpses dissipated, purified.
The final scene showed the wreckage of a crashed plane, a corner of a briefcase visible amongst the debris.
The footage ended.
The disaster information appeared on the screen:
Disaster Name: The Plague of Extinction
Start Time: 15 days after the Great Deluge.
Duration: 7 days.
Opportunities: Serene Purity Heart Orchid, Classified Briefcase
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"?????"
What the actual fuck?
The Plague of Extinction!
Just watching the footage sent chills down Thomas's spine.
In other disasters, holing up in the hideout might offer a slim chance of survival. But against a plague? Not so much.
And this wasn't some simple person-to-person transmission. If it were, the current isolated lifestyle of most survivors would make it less of a threat.
No, the scary part was that this plague actively sought out targets, even infiltrating hideouts through ventilation systems.
That was seriously fucked up.
But after the initial shock, a wave of relief washed over Thomas.
"Looks like [The Breathing Pothos] might just be my ticket through this one after all." He said with a slight smile.
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